New London County Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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New London County Courthouse
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(2013)
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 70 Huntington St. New London, Connecticut |
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| Built | 1786 |
| Architect | Isaac Fitch (attributed) Dudley St. Clair Donnelly (1909 addition) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000705 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1970 |
The New London County Courthouse is a very old and important building in New London, Connecticut. You can find it at 70 Huntington Street. It was built a long time ago, between 1784 and 1786. People believe a person named Isaac Fitch designed it. This courthouse is special because it's the oldest one in all of Connecticut! Today, the State of Connecticut Superior Court still uses it. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
Contents
What Does the Courthouse Look Like?
The New London County Courthouse stands out in downtown New London, Connecticut. It is located where State Street and Huntington Street meet. This building has two and a half stories. It is made of wood and has a special roof called a gambrel roof. In the middle of the roof, there's an eight-sided tower called an octagonal cupola.
Building Details
The outside of the courthouse has seven sections, called bays. It is covered with wooden clapboards. These are long, thin pieces of wood that overlap. The corners of the first floor look like they are made of stone blocks. But they are actually wooden blocks carved to look like stone. On the second floor, there are flat, column-like decorations called pilasters on the corners.
The middle section of the front of the building sticks out a little. It also has a pointed roof, like a small house. The main entrance is in the very center. It has special blocks around it, just like the corners of the building. Above the main door, on the second floor, there is a large, fancy window. This window has three parts and is called a Palladian window.
A Building with Many Lives
The courthouse was built in 1784. Many people think Isaac Fitch was the person who designed it. This building has been used for many different things over the years. It wasn't always just a courthouse!
Other Uses of the Courthouse
In the 1790s, the building was used as a hospital. It helped people who were sick with yellow fever. Later, during the American Civil War, it became a place for soldiers to sign up. This was where people joined the Union Army. For many years, important town meetings were also held here. People would gather to discuss local issues and make decisions.
In 1909, a new part was added to the building. This addition was designed by an architect named Dudley St. Clair Donnelly.
